Sacramento daily record-union., 1887-08-06
THIRTY---LOVE.
THE STORY OF A DAY.

I ID f. ; L q X Y . + A - 4 y.
His name was James, not Ganymede
1t was closely-clipped lawn upon which
he trod, instead of the divine nights of
Mt. Olympus. Neither were those gods
and goddesses-those four athletic figures.
clad in white and red fannel-disporting
themselves upon portion of the lawn
marked off with lime, and wrangling in
tones high and heated. James never
wrangled. He scorned il As he ap-
preached the group, bearing his tray so
skillfully that the ice scarcely tinkled in
the pitcher, the expression Of his counte-
nance bordered upon the sublime
Set it down there, James" called Miss
Edith, and James set il down with mathe-
matical precision, exactly in line with the
tennis net and about three feet from it.
The pitcher was of earthenware, and the
glasses came from the kitchen and were not
cut. James had been told by Miss Edith
that when tennis balls came violently in
contact with cut glasses. broken glass was
apt to be the result. Hence the discrep-
ancy between the elegance of James de
meanor and the painfully plebeian char
acter of the burden which he bore. To
show annoyance, however, was beneath
him; and Jupiter himself, to say nothing
of Ganymede, could not have bent the upper
portion of his body at a right angle with
his legs in more classical manner than
did James as he deposited upon the grass
the pitcher, of the earth earthly, and the
glasses so mournfully suggestive of the
kitchen and the cook Musingly, with his
eyes upon high heaven, yet respectfully
always, James withdrew.
Five minutes earlier, as James was
standing III his pantry decorously polish.
ing a tablespoon, the door had opened
briskly, a scarlet-capped head had pre-
sented itself TO his view, and Miss Edith's
voice had said: water on the tennis
court, please, James, and lemonade and
gingerbread at half-past IL"
Yes, Miss" said James His vocal or
gan did not correspond in dignity with the
rest of him. 1t was most undoubtedly
squeaky. Miss Edith paused. Twice
within week James had qualified his re-
spectful assent to similar orders with, "The
lemons is h'out, Miss" The lemons were
evidently "h'n' this time, and Edith was
spared the necessity of a sigh over the in
convenience of living four miles from q
lemon. A moment later her red and white
tennis Skirt had fluttered across the lawn
and the game had begun.
just as james appeared with the water
Edith, who was playing at the net, Jumped
into the air, gave n downward blow with
her racket, sent the ball into the net and
said Deuce"
Deuel." vociferated Erie Allen, with 8
vicious tugat his mustache. =" Eric alway:
loses his temper when he plays with me,
had been Edith's comment before they be.
gan. Deuce /! Why, you're wild! It's
thirty-love. They re thirty and we're
love-" he added unnecessarily.
$50 it is" said Edith, as she backed to 4
position for receiving the next ball, Z" and
much nicer for them than if it were deuce
Papa does so love to win"
By Jove" growled her partner.
What's the matter with you, Ericr |
haven't seen You in such fiendish humor
since-yesterday morning" :" the last words
were jerked out as Edith made a frantic
effort to receive bali which c:rme flying
ct her from her fathers racket, and sped
by her with the rapidity of light.
Vantage .'-duet from Mr. West and
Ned Whitney. Eric Allen laughed. "'Tis
strange-'tis passing strange-'tis pitiful
the way you miss those balls he said
Miss West looked at him with an air pecr
liar to Miss West. "Sears himself could
not have taken that ball, and | don't pre-
tend to play better than Searls."
Children Children p expostulatet
Mr.. Neil, while Ned Whitney sat dowr
upon the handle of his racket and smiled
Stop quarreling. Ready, Eric?" Tn,
swift ball was returned on this occasion
and was yolleyed back by Ned Whitne,
over Edith's head Edith struck wildll
at it, then turned TO see Eric do likewis,
and fail. Came" called Mr.. West.
Why on earth, Edith, didn't you tax,
that hall?" demanded Eric.
For the simple reason that it WASH
mine. You ought to have taken it your
SELF" V
1T was yours. You had no business t.
miss it,
Eric, don't you speak to me in tha
tone. again. If you do won't play Will
you"
Well, / don't care if you don't" Fri,
had never before said anything quite S,
outrageous or insincere. Even his ten
mis- temper for which all allowances wer,
always made, was no excuse. Fire flashed
from the gray eyes under the scarlet cap
wouldn't forget that l was gentleman
II | were you" Edith's voice was unusu
ally quiet, and consequently crushing.
BY Jove, | draw the line! Mr.
west, Edith says I'm no gentleman, and
appeal to YOU. Did / say anything ungen.
tlemanly?"
Ned" Observed Mr.. West, turning tc
his patient partner, you're no lady
Then to Edith, $50 on, nv child, it.
your serve. Any one would think you
and Eric were two years old"
Edith began to serve. She PLAYED in
wrath and silence, and she PLAYED well
Game after game was won. Eric locked
almost meek, but neither he nor Edith
spoke.
Set! at last gasped Edith. breath
iessiy triumphant, and the four players
moved toward the water pitcher.
Miss West' her father said. as s,e
handed her glass of water, "allow n,e 10
present to you Mr. Allen" smile crens
into the gray eyes under the scarlet can
and twitched at the corners of the sweet
red mouth.
I'm happy TO meet you, Mr.. Allen, A
ehian hahu was placed IN large brown
one, and was clasped tightly, while Mr..
Allen mentally called himself boor.
Peace and politeness reigned upon the
tennis court during the next two sets. and
enthusiasm waned.
I've had enough said Mr.. West.
..,r, I've had enough" echoed his daughter.
Iheres nothing that fafieues me SO
much M as to have Eric lose his temper
anat young gentleman looked unutterable
lnings|some of them were nice-but
wisely held his tongue.
There is lemonade in the d;n;nc-
ROOM, Mis- West announced rs tbey
strollea towards the house, @and ginger
don't care much for lemonade Eric
said, as the two Young men and Edith sat
in the cool and darkened room or dos 90
not ,quench my thirst'-fiIlina his class
for the third time. This ginecr cr-bresd i
bang up though. Got anv candy ~ 81
full. ~ 'n0'''ii was
:" You might as we'll tell him. He'll
hunt till he finds it, Ned Whitney